Spending big to buy airplanes by the dozen is nothing new for Steven Udvar-Hazy: In the last 37 years, the aircraft leasing pioneer has purchased thousands of planes, which were then rented to the majority of the world's major carriers.

The 47th Farnborough International Airshow opened its doors for business Monday with the world's two biggest aircraft manufacturers hoping it will mark a turning point after a turbulent financial year.

Some people collect rubber bands. Some people collect paper clips. And then some people are like Randy Petersen, founder of FlyerTalk.com, an elite group of people obsessed with plane loyalty schemes. "We collect frequent flier miles," he explains. "And in the process we collect our dreams."

You're sitting in an airport lounge and seize the chance to check your e-mails before your flight departs. You log on and are tempted by a wireless Internet provider offering free Internet access. So, do you take it?

Budget airline Ryanair, which says it is considering charging passengers to use the toilet, announced a huge increase in profits Monday, revealing recession-busting results in sharp contrast to other carriers grounded by financial trouble.

Budget airline Ryanair announced plans Tuesday to cut its winter flights schedule from its main UK hub, blaming a collapse in the British tourism industry, rising airport costs and "insane" aviation taxes.

The Mojave boneyard in the California desert is where old airplanes go to die -- a wasteland of decrepit planes, titanic heaps of titanium and aluminum waiting to be scrapped for metal in India or China.

The British government -- ignoring a firestorm of controversy -- Thursday approved construction of a third runway at London's Heathrow Airport, saying the move is essential for British business and would retain the airport's status as a major European hub.